How is Ballroom Dancing like a Relationship / Marriage?

[markc]

As a happily married man for over 44 years, and a ballroom dancer for almost 10 years, and a dance teacher for almost 5 years, I’ve noticed, as many others have, that ballroom dancing is a lot like a relationship or a marriage . It is my goal to develop a dance class that explores this.

Clearly, this will take some time, and I’m asking for help, thoughts, and comments from the readers on DanceForums.

Of course the obvious subjects to explore are Lead and Follow, but I'm looking for more than that; which is where i can use ideas. If you have some, please post them in this thread.

Thanks for your help!

 

[GGinrhinestones]

Communication is an obvious one...verbal and non-verbal. Other topics: respect, forgiveness, empathy, patience.

You could have an entire class just on trust.

 

[s2k]

I'd think this would be your textbook: Ballroom Dancing Is Not for Sissies: An R-Rated Guide for Partnership, by Elizabeth and Arthur Seagull, psychologists and amateur ballroom dancers.

 

[markc]

Communication is an obvious one...verbal and non-verbal. Other topics: respect, forgiveness, empathy, patience.

You could have an entire class just on trust.

I've been working on these - all part of a good relationship, and there's no shortage of reference materials for them. The problem I'm having is how to incorporate these subjects into a dance class. Of course there's the "lecture" portion of a class, but people will be there to dance mostly. They are subjects i want to incorporate, and can comment on them as we go along. But it's hard to build a dedicated class on them. Any ideas?

 

[markc]

I'd think this would be your textbook: Ballroom Dancing Is Not for Sissies: An R-Rated Guide for Partnership, by Elizabeth and Arthur Seagull, psychologists and amateur ballroom dancers.

Thanks for reminding me! I've got this saved on my amazon list, but been going through some others first. The reality is, there's not much out there that ties these subjects together, but this looked like a good one!

 

[Dr Dance]

1. There is a personal investment in the fine quality of both ballroom dancing and relationships.

2. Dance partners as well as spouses are often held in high esteem. Both relationships must be nurtured to help ensure a healthy growth.

3. Both are expensive! But both have rewards as well.

4. Sometimes sex is involved, but not always.

 

[Partner Dancer]

1. There is a personal investment in the fine quality of both ballroom dancing and relationships.

2. Dance partners as well as spouses are often held in high esteem. Both relationships must be nurtured to help ensure a healthy growth.

3. Both are expensive! But both have rewards as well.

4. Sometimes sex is involved, but not always.

Yes. It's a shame there are so many sexless marriages. :-(

OTOH...

http://www.people.com/article/kym-johnson-robert-herjavec-engaged

 

[markc]

1. There is a personal investment in the fine quality of both ballroom dancing and relationships.

2. Dance partners as well as spouses are often held in high esteem. Both relationships must be nurtured to help ensure a healthy growth.

3. Both are expensive! But both have rewards as well.

4. Sometimes sex is involved, but not always.

Agree, Agree.
Re: #3, I must confess, in retrospect: "Ballroom dancing is like Bass fishing. I looked at each of them and thought "That shouldn't cost too much, I'll try it!"" . Big mistake; BIG

 

[twnkltoz]

Problem solving without blaming. Teamwork.

 

[markc]

Communication is an obvious one...verbal and non-verbal. Other topics: respect, forgiveness, empathy, patience.

You could have an entire class just on trust.

How could I teach "Trust" to dancers? How can I build "Trust Skills"?

 

[snapdancer]

Ditto on teamwork.

 

[markc]

That was a great video! It brought out some great teaching points that can be emphasized and developed about "Following". And it worked very well in the Argentine Tango, which is one of the more improvisational dances.

Now the next question is, what would be the best dance to use in teaching the Following skills? Leading Skills? The aTan worked well, but what about others?

 

[raindance]

What sort of students will be taking your class? New dancers? Experienced dancers? Social, competitive, what dances will they already know and at what level, etc?

 

[markc]

my plans were for new dancers, but i wouldn't limit it. I'm comfortable teaching bronze level ballroom, but not beyond that. We have several colleges in the area, and I thought of advertising with them to attract a younger audience - but i'm no where near that point yet. Still figuring out how to deliver this program.

 

[cornutt]

Ballroom partnerships are far more complicated.